You know you're getting old when your back starts going out more than you do

I asked Maxine, a physio friend at work, for a quick consultation (saving myself about £50!), because I have had a pain in my arm since before last Christmas. Anyone that knows me well, will know that when I go to sleep at night I go into virtual unconsciousness, but the pain has been waking me up in the early hours from my comatosed state - unheard of.

Maxine diagnosed a chronic rotary cuff injury, which may improve with the correct exercise regime.Just two pieces of equipment are necessary for my exercise routine: a resistance band and a can of coke. I didn't have any coke, so I'm using a tin of tomatoes. My family must have noticed this item beside the bed, but have not questioned me about it. It reminds me of a couple of years ago when I had a bag full of knitted boobs next to my bed for several weeks. No one asked me about them either!

Maxine also gave be the once over generally and was shocked at how weak my arm, back and shoulder muscles were. She told me that a woman of my age should have a wider range of movement and not be feeling all these aches and pains. I thought that what I have been feeling was normal and to be expected of someone in their late forties! Apparently, as far as my musculo-skeletal system is concerned, I am about as fit as your average O.A.P.

Dolly tickets sold

Had a bid for the Dolly Parton tickets for £100 right up to the last 5 minutes and then a new bidder put in a bid and it went up to £102, £105......my adrenaline was flowing (doesn't take much) and finally in the last 3 minutes £110.50. I didn't make a profit, but atleast I got some of my money back.
Looking forward to the Better Days Tour at the O2 soon.

Ebay auction

Simon wanted to surprise me and I wanted to surprise him. Great minds think alike - we both bought Dolly Parton tickets for the same night in September at the O2. So I'm selling the unwanted pair on Ebay. They are worth £75 each. There has been 11 bids. So far the highest bid is £100. There are 11 watchers and 4 1/2 hrs to go. Exciting stuff.

Thank you for driving carefully through our village

After much persuasion Martin convinced me that it was a good idea to let him drive to Upminster. "After all it's only up the road". Never again. Why, when mum is in the car, is it suddenly acceptable to start texting at Upminster traffic lights and then to think it's funny to screech up at full speed and perform an emergency stop next to his friend walking down Howard Road? Apart from that he's quite a smooth driver! I'll definitely buy him the Top Gear: Alternative Highway Code now.

Our new caravan is sitting on the front drive. I have no idea when we are going to be able to actually use it. We have spent a small fortune on insurance, a hitch lock, membership to the Caravan Club etc. So far it's turning out to be the most expensive holiday we never had! Amber has bright ideas of spending her 20th birthday weekend in the caravan with friends. Am I being unreasonable if I say that I'm not entirely convinced that it's a good idea?

By the way, I still haven't made those Winchester cheese scones.

Romford Riots

"Will your husband be called up to the riots in London?" my colleagues asked. "No" I said "He's been in plain clothes too long now. They'd have to be really desperate to do that!". So I went home on Monday night and what did I find? My other half packing his riot gear into a bag ready for action! I didn't even know it was in the house. His 'crew' were apparently not wanted for duty that night, despite Specials etc. having their leave cancelled, and Simon left the office to the sound of the Dad's Army theme tune from the younger uniformed officers. But his weekend off has been cancelled and he is on standby - so I have time to Blog.

Ready for action

Romford had a few problems, but nothing particularly unusual for Romford. I noticed that the youngest rioter that has been arrested at the age of 11 was a Romford boy. I wonder if he was the young man seen on the news leaving court with his face covered by a newspaper, who was caught on camera walking into a lamp post. Oh I do love Essex boys!
I saw some amusing comments on Twitter including one by an Upminster resident that read "Riots in Upminster......two old ladies knock a pair of jeans off the display in Roomes Store".

And this article from News Thump made me laugh:-
Friday 12 August 2011
Fingers were at the heart of riot organisation, claims Cameron
David Cameron used yesterday’s parliamentary debate to lay the groundwork for new police powers to remove anything used to organise the riots, including fingers and thumbs.
Parliament was discussing the recent nationwide riots after being recalled from its summer recess, with suggested solutions for prevention of future incidents top of the agenda among those wishing they were still on the beach.
Cameron told the house that, “The rioters were filmed using their fingers to create messages to organise their attacks, and we are now examining proposals that claim finger removal would prevent similar attacks in the future.”
“Obviously removing the fingers of potential rioters is a significant move, and may affect a few decent law abiding citizens, but it’s an entirely appropriate response considering the damage they can cause.”
Riot prevention measures
Security consultants have said that although fingers are pervasive throughout modern society, their swift removal in isolated areas is actually quite straight forward.
Simon Davies of Whackfuck Security told us, “A bit of ketting and a few dozen sets of bolt cutters and you’re good to go.”
“Admittedly putting them back on again is a bit of a pain, but we’re working on that bit of the process.”
Civil liberties campaigner Sandra Williams said the proposals were draconian and ‘bordering on medieval’.
She said, “You have remember that fingers are also regularly used for good purposes, I just can’t think of any right now.”

Lego are always the first to jump on a new trend for kids...

Spend spend spend!

We have bought a new patio set for under the arbour in our lovely garden. This is where Simon and I catch up on the day's events, when we get home from work, with a nice cuppa and then ,weather permitting, enjoy an evening meal by candlelight. Do we sound like an old married couple? Meanwhile, I think we have officially reached middle age-hood - we've bought a small touring caravan!

Winchester Cathedral - New Vaudeville Band

I've had this tune, from the 1960's, on the brain ever since Thursday when I visited Winchester Cathedral. I was reminded of it when I heard a man ask his wife if she remembered "Who sang that old pop song. Was it Heaven 17 (!!!) or Mungo Jerry?"!





Winchester cathedral



Icons

Icon of Christ



The Round Table

 

Just arrived home from a few days away visiting the town of Winchester - England's capital back in Saxon times chosen by King Alfred the Great. We completed several walks around the town taking in all the historic sites. I came home with a bag of stoneground flour from the City Mill and a recipe for Winchester Cheese Scones and now feel duty bound to get baking. 

Jane Austin's House



Grapevine

Visited Jane Austin's House in Chawton and enjoyed a cream tea in Cassandra's Tearoom.